PDF of our park Rules & Regulations

• CAUTION MUST BE EXERCISED AT ALL TIMES.

• USE OF THE PARK, AND IT’S FACILITIES, ARE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

• THE CHRISTIANSBURG-MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE Will NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACCIDENTS OR LOSSES WHILE YOU ARE USING THE PARK.

• ANY MEMBERS VIOLATING CLUB RULES WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PROPER ACTION.

Rules for Use of the New River Valley IWLA Park

(Rules updated and approved August 21, 2025)

General Rules

1. All rules must be followed or the member will be referred to the Board of Directors and may receive disciplinary action up to and including termination of privileges as outlined in the bylaws regardless of whether it was intentional or careless in intent.
2. Any unruly, unsafe, illegal, or vulgar behavior on park grounds will not be tolerated.
3. Do not exceed 15 mph on the park road. There is no parking on the dam or spillway area. Do not block the road at any time.
4. No hunting is allowed on the park grounds unless authorized by the Board of Directors.
5. All members are responsible for helping keep the club property and buildings clean. Pick up trash at the fishing ponds and the shooting ranges. Donate your time, supplies, etc. on workdays.
6. All member are required to wear their ID badges in a manner visible to others and shall produce their ID badge upon request when not visible. Members may question those that they are not familiar with on the property, and request to view their membership cards. If a membership card is not presented or available, a name and phone number may be requested for presentation to the Board of Directors for review.
7. Membership cards are issued to individuals
   1. Each adult member may bring two guests per day.
   2. Membership cards shall not be given to anyone other than the member assigned to the card.
   3. Dependents are not allowed to bring guests.
8. All non-members must obtain permission to use the club property from the secretary, caretakers, or the president’s appointed representatives to schedule activities. Non-member usage of the park grounds shall be approved by the Board of Directors. The clubhouse will be kept locked. Keys are available only from the officers, members of the Board of Directors, and those who have applied for and received a card key. The first key card is free to active members. Lost key cards must be reported within 7 days of a known loss. Replacement key cards are available at a cost of $50.
9. Shooting range hours are sunrise to sunset except for officially sanctioned Chapter events that are approved by the Board of Directors.
10. Refer to the park use document for associated fees.
11. Members who arrive to shoot on an already occupied range should have a position yielded to them within 30 minutes. If a member is occupying more than one position they must immediately yield a position to an arriving member.
12. Do not occupy more than one shooting bench when other shooters are present.
13. All casings, hulls, targets, and ammo boxes must be picked up and disposed of appropriately. Please use the recycling container when appropriate.
14. The club calendar on our website indicates any event that may occur on the property and which ranges or portions of the property may be closed for use during these events. Members and guests are expected to respect park closures and partial closures due to an event.
15. When no large events are occurring, members may fly drones on the park’s property so long as they have at a minimum their TRUST certificate, and they must follow FAA, state, and local regulations pertaining to drones.
    1. a. If a range is in use, you can’t fly over that specific range.
    2. b. You need to stay away from people not involved in the drone flight.
    3. c. Non-members may fly recreationally with a member under the allowed guest limit, so long as they also have at a minimum their TRUST certificate, and they must follow FAA, state, and local regulations pertaining to their drones.
       d. It is the responsibility of the drone pilot to know what the regulations are for drones in this area.

        

16. If a member or non-member would like to fly a drone anywhere on the property during any scheduled event hosted on the club’s property, they must receive board approval, provide proof that they have an up-to-date Part 107 Pilot’s License, and provide proof that their drone meets the requirements of Categories 1, 2, 3, or 4 as outlined by the FAA.

     

    1. The board cannot approve drone flight during an event when the above requirements are not met.
    2. The board is not required to approve the use of the drone during an event even if all the requirements are met, and they may add stipulations such as “must fly only outside the perimeter of the space being used.”
    3. All FAA, state, and local regulations must be followed while the drone is in use during an event, and it is the responsibility of the drone pilot to know what those regulations are and operate in a safe manner.
    4. If there is concern that the drone is not being operated safely during an event, a board member or officer may request that you stop the operation of the drone for the remainder of the event, and that request should be followed.
    5. Established news organizations such as WSLS or WDBJ7 are exempt from getting prior approval if they are providing news coverage for the event and they can prove that they are qualified according to the FAA for the type of drone flying they plan to do. They should be able to prove on request by a board member or officer their qualifications at the event.
    6. The drone operator must submit a request in writing in advance of the board meeting prior to the event they intend to fly during, and they must attend the board meeting may be required to answer board questions pertaining to their use intent. They must include their Part 107 Pilot’s License number, the flyover category they qualify under, and proof that their drone meets the category requirements.
17. All club transactions by authorized members that exceed the amount of $500 per project or event require the approval of the Board of Directors.
    a.​ Officers, Board of Directors, event coordinators, and committee chairs have a discretionary spending limit of $500 to support club operations per project or event.
18. Club members may spend up to $100 on incidentals per project or event for club operations.
19. All members who require financial reimbursement are required to retain all documentation/receipts to provide to the Treasurer.
20. All transactions are reviewed via the Board of Directors monthly approval of the Treasurers’ Report. Unauthorized expenditures will be approved by the Board of Directors before reimbursement.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

1. Caution must be exercised at all times. The NRV Chapter of the Izaak Walton League will not be responsible for any accidents or losses while you are using the park. All members and guests use the park and its facilities at their own risk.
2. ALWAYS keep the muzzle or arrow pointed in a safe direction.
3. Treat all weapons as if they are loaded.
4. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
5. ALWAYS keep the gun or bow unloaded until on the firing line.
6. Weapons must not be handled while anyone is downrange. All firearms shall be unloaded with the action open when the range is cold. No one is allowed downrange while the range is hot.
7. Be aware of your backstop and what is beyond it.
8. Only discharge a weapon in the appropriate designated area for the weapon you are using.
9. Eye and ear protection is required for all shooters, guests, and spectators.
10.  No alcohol, drugs, or people under the influence are allowed on the ranges.
11. Pick up all unfired (duds) rounds, remove them from the park, and dispose of them properly.
12. Do not shoot the wooden target frames, trap houses, concrete walls, trees, wildlife, or any other club structures. Reckless or careless damage to club property will still be viewed as a violation of park rules and may lead to termination of membership.
13. Members are responsible for dependents and guests and their understanding of all range rules, firearm safety, and archery safety.
14. Only IWLA members and their guests (accompanied by members) are permitted to shoot on the ranges unless shooting at a club-sanctioned event.
15. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to shoot a rifle or shotgun in the park without the supervision of a parent, guardian, or designated adult, and no one under the age of 21 is allowed to shoot a handgun in the park without the supervision of a parent, guardian, or designated adult.
16. Any unsafe behavior or rules violations are grounds for immediate expulsion from the park for the day at the request of a club member or range safety officer in addition to a referral to the Board of Directors.

FISHING RULES

1. General safety rules are in effect at all times.
2. ​Both ponds may be used for fishing. Log-in sheets are at both ends of each pond.
3. Fishing is allowed from a half hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
4. Only one pole per fisherman. Each fisherman must have a stringer for their fish.
5. No live bait (such as minnows, crawfish, frogs, etc.) may be used to fish. However, crickets, worms, grasshoppers, corn, power bait, and artificial lures are allowed.
6. Fish may be cleaned in the park only if the remnants are removed from the park.
7. Each adult member may catch up to 4 trout per day up to a maximum of 25 trout per year.
8. Trout caught by a member’s dependents and guests count toward the adult member’s limit.
9. In regards to catch and release:
   1. All trout caught that are in good condition will be released unless they are to be consumed.
   2. Sunfish that are in good condition will released unless they are to be consumed.
   3. Catfish that are in good condition will be released unless they are to be consumed.
   4. All bass is available for catch and release only. No bass are to be kept for consumption.
   5. Grass carp that are caught must be released
   6. Nuisance fish–gizzard shad and Crappie must be kept for consumption or disposal and not returned to the ponds.
10. No bow fishing unless approved by the Board of Directors.

PISTOL RANGE RULES

1. General safety rules are in effect at all times.
2. Handgun calibers only may be fired on the pistol range.
   1. No rifle calibers, including handguns that fire rifle calibers
   2. Carbines that shoot handgun calibers are acceptable
   3. No shotguns
3. Range “A” is reserved for stationary shooting of paper targets as well as steel targets. Shooters must not shoot steel targets at a distance of less than 10 yards and must seek a full understanding of other shooters concerning associated risks.
4. Range “B” may be used for action pistol shooting.
5. Both Ranges “A” and “B” will be used for action pistol shooting during sanctioned events.
6. Members and guests may not occupy a bay for more than 30 minutes if others are waiting to shoot.
7. Scheduled shoots, which are found on the calendar, have priority use of the ranges. The pistol, rifle, and trap ranges are closed during these events.

RIFLE RANGE RULES

1. ​General safety rules are in effect at all times.
2. If trap shooters are occupying the trap range, be sure to communicate with them prior to shooting or moving down range.
3. The rifle range is closed when an organized trap shooting, action pistol, or 2-gun event is scheduled as indicated on the calendar.

Tabor .22 RANGE RULES

1. ​General safety rules are in effect at all times.
2. .22 long rifle rimfire only. No other cartridges are allowed except for special events – no shotguns or cartridges other than .22 are allowed unless it is a preapproved event by the board of directors.
3. The closure of the rifle range for trap or pistol events does allow the .22 range to be used for rifle shooting for the purpose of sighting in a rifle or load development. No recreational rifle shooting will occur at the Tabor range and targets must be provided by the participant

TRAP RANGE RULES

1. ​General safety rules are in effect at all times.
2. Do not move from a station with a loaded gun or walk in front of another shooter when changing posts.
3. Load only one shell for singles. Load only two shells for doubles.
   1. a.​ A shell may be dropped into an open action of a pump or semi-automatic shotgun as long as the action remains open until it is the shooter’s turn to call for a target.
4. Be aware that when the safety flag or orange cone is raised from the trap house someone is in the trap house and that all guns must be unloaded until an all-clear sign is given.
5. Only authorized personnel who have received training on trap equipment are permitted forward of the 16-yard line and allowed to load trap machines and pull targets for shooters.
6. Only individuals who are shooting are permitted on the trap field unless they have permission  from the range officer before the round begins.
7. If there are shooters occupying the rifle range, be sure to communicate with them prior to shooting or moving forward of the 16-yard line. The rifle range shall be closed during scheduled trap events.
8. In handicap, there shall be no more than two yards difference between adjacent shooters in the squad and no more than a total difference of three yards in a squad.
9. The trap range is closed when an organized trap shoot, action pistol event, 2-gun match, or other club-sanctioned event on the trap range is scheduled as indicated on the calendar

POWDER & MUZZLELOADER RULES

1. General safety rules are in effect at all times.
2. No loaded firearm shall be taken from the firing line.
3. Propellant has to be black powder or any ATF-approved black powder substitute only.
4. A separate powder measure or holder must be used to carry the powder charge from the container to the muzzle of the gun.
5. Charging directly from the horn or flask is not permitted.
6. Blowing down the barrel to clear a spark is strictly prohibited. Swabbing the barrel with a damp patch may be used and is recommended.
7. Under no circumstances shall muzzleloader rifles or pistols be loaded directly from the can, jar, or powder horn without the use of a powder measure.
8. Powder cans or other containers shall not be left uncovered and unprotected from sparks during
   shooting.
9. After loading a black powder rifle or pistol, percussion, or flint, the shooter MUST ASSURE the replacement of the powder container’s lid or cap or the use of a covered pouring spout.
10. The cap or covered pouring spout shall be used and engaged on powder cans or containers and applied after loading at all times to prevent the transfer of spark to the powder.
11. Powder horns shall be capped between shots.
12. With regards to flintlock firearms:
    1. All flintlock firearms must be loaded with the frizzen and hammer in the forward position.
    2. A flintlock rifle or pistol shall not be loaded with the pan charged and frizzen closed.
13. With regards to percussion rifles:
    1. All percussion rifles must be loaded with the hammer in the forward position.
    2. A percussion rifle or pistol shall not be loaded with a percussion cap in place.
14. A percussion rifle or pistol shall be considered safe when uncharged. That is, unloaded with the hammer on half cock and with NO percussion cap on the nipple.
15. A flintlock rifle or pistol shall be considered safe when uncharged. That is, unloaded with the hammer fully forward, the frizzen open and the pan empty.
16. An inline muzzleloader shall be considered uncharged.. It is considered uncharged when uncapped or unprimed.
17. If a request for a “cold line” is called when a weapon is charged, it is customary to allow the shooter to fire the loaded charge, rendering the weapon safe.
18. Do not prime a flintlock rifle or pistol or place a percussion cap on the nipple until the weapon is safely pointed downrange when shooting from the bench or standing on the firing line ready to shoot.
19. When the line is called cold, all weapons shall be grounded or laid on a bench with the muzzle offset from anyone downrange.

ARCHERY RANGE RULES

1. ​General safety rules are in effect at all times.
2. Do not shoot broadhead arrows into target batts.
3. Shoot only arrows with target or field points.
4. When looking for arrows behind target butts, place the safety flag in the holder located at the shooting line.
5. Crossbows should be inspected for string, cables, cams, and limb damage prior to shooting.
6. Crossbows shall not be dry-fired.
7. To un-cock the crossbow, fire a field tip into a target, or soft ground. A cocked crossbow shall not be removed from the firing line.
8. Keeps hands and fingers below the rail to avoid injury.
9. Best practice is to leave your quiver and arrows at the firing bench while downrange.